Silverdale Parish Council

2014/01/06

6th January 2014
10542 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 6th January 2014.
10543 Present: Chairman – T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, S.L. (Shirley) Mason, K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons, P.N. (Paul) Williams and A. (Angela) Woods, the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward, PC 6988 Richard Barr, PCSO 7242 Sarah Leverton and 2 members of the public.
10544 Apologies for Absence: Councillor H.M.E. (Harriet) Bradfield.
10545 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
Councillor Williams expressed an interest in agenda item 13 in that he is employed, as a member of the public, to clean the public toilets.
10546 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 2nd December were approved then signed by the Chairman.
10547 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
The Clerk referred to: (1) item 10484, regarding graffiti at Silverdale Station, and said that her report to Network Rail has been acknowledged; (2) 10479, regarding the train service, and advised that she has sent the petitions to Mr David Morris MP; (3) 10522 (b), regarding a “Neighbourhood Plan”, and reported that there is information on the internet about this and that she has been sent a booklet “A Guide to Neighbourhood Planning” by LALC which will be circulated to Members being an item of Correspondence; (4) 10522 (c), regarding the “Second Adult Rebate”, and clarified that this is designed to help those on a low income with their Council Tax payments – again there is information on the internet about this; (5) 10522 (d), regarding a DVD of Silverdale in 1977, and enquired as to its whereabouts – Members advised that it might be in the planning file; (6) 10533, regarding planning, and advised that Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) will not post any plans and they cannot be emailed – they will only be accessible on Lancaster CC’s website.
Councillor Ribbons referred to item 10519, regarding 55 Stankelt Road, and advised that Lancaster CC’s Planning Committee have passed the application.
10548 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
A member of the public reported that 6 villagers had attended Lancaster CC’s Planning Committee meeting at which 55 Stankelt Road was considered and that they were very disappointed that the application had been passed with apparently little consideration to the objections and that it seems that Lancaster CC had not visited the site.
The Chairman clarified that the Parish Council has only the same authority as an individual as far as planning applications are concerned.
10549 Update from the Community Police Officer
PC Richard Barr introduced himself to Members – he has taken over from PC Marsh as the Community Beat Manager as from 6th January. A written report from PC Marsh for December had been e mailed: (1) 28 incidents had been reported, 2 of which were recorded as crimes – the theft of alcohol from the Co-operative stare (recorded on CCTV) and a burglary from a shed on Emesgate Lane; (2) in relation to the PACT priorities the police have continued to monitor the parking situation in the village. In response to the parking issues at Silverdale Station raised by the council at the last meeting the relevant schools have been contacted and will be advising parents accordingly. The police have patrolled the village in general concerning anti-social behaviour. No incidents have been reported from the playing field; (3) the police can be contacted using the non-emergency telephone number 101 and email carnforth.npt@lancashire.pnn.police.uk . Morecambe Neighbourhood Policing Team (which includes Silverdale) has its own Facebook page and the Constabulary has a presence on the web, Facebook, and Twitter. The Constabulary also offers a free SMS and email bulletin service called “In The Know” – visit http://www.lancashire.police.uk/intheknow to subscribe; (4) PC Marsh would like to thank the council and residents for their support over the last 6 years.
PC Barr reported that the theft of metal materials, such as wrought iron gates, is common at the moment and explained that there has a been a reduction in the number of responding police constables – hence the publicity about Twitter etc as another means of communication with the public.
Members reiterated that parking is a problem, especially on Saturday mornings and that there are repercussions for the delivery vans and emergency vehicles; Members also asked for the police’s help with educating drivers to keep to the 20mph speed limit and the problems caused by the fencing outside The Royal – cars have been parking on the notional footpath which means that pedestrians are forced to walk in the road and space for passing vehicles is restricted.
10550 Report from County Councillor Alycia James
Councillor James was not present at the meeting and her report was not available.
10551 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
Councillor Graham was not present at the meeting and her report was not available.
10552 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
None.
10553 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
a) LALC Newsletter, annual report, details of the Spring Conference and a finance workshop;
b) Ms Julia Watts writes about BT community broadband schemes and would like to come and speak to the Council;
c) Lancashire Fire and Rescue write about their review of Key Performance Indicators;
d) Lancashire County Council write about its budget proposals (consultation ends 17/1/14);
e) AONB reply about the support they can give to the B4RN project in this area;
f) The Very Revd. Christopher Armstrong writes to invite our Chairperson and spouse to a Carol Service at Blackburn Cathedral on 2nd February, at 6.30 pm. It was noted that the Chairman will not be attending;
g) NALC provides “A guide to Neighbourhood planning”;
h) LCR publication.
10554 Planning
(1) It was noted that no planning applications had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a.
(2) It was noted that no decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC.
10555 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25 (a) Parish Council Property and Functions
It was noted that the Clerk has asked Mr Arthur Graves to remove an unwanted tree from Burton Well (removal free in exchange for the timber) and that Mr Graves will inspect the tree and report back.
25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
10556 Public Toilets
It was noted that United Utilities are to inspect the drains on 7th January. RESOLVED that the Clerk send Newclear drains’ report and diagram (showing the damage they found) to United Utilities for information.
10557 Superfast Broadband
It was noted that Councillor Ribbons had attended the inaugural meeting of B4RN for Yealand and Silverdale Hyperfast Broadband Group (B4YS); the group is looking for support from the local schools and businesses etc and has set up a facebook account.
Members RESOLVED that:
1. the Clerk seek advice from LALC as to purchasing a share-holding in the project [B4RN is a community benefit society established under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 and registered with the Financial Services Authority and as such must operate for the benefit of its constituency, the rural community, rather than for the benefit of its members and shareholders. It can pay interest on its shares but only at a level necessary to attract and maintain the investment needed to fund the network construction and operation. Any surplus funds must be used to benefit the community and not be distributed to shareholders. This Council would not be making the investment to reap a financial reward, instead to invest for a long-term community project for the benefit of local residents];
2. an open meeting be arranged in the Gaskell Hall for Silverdale and other local residents with B4RN and British Telecom invited to give input.
10558 Annual Parish Meeting
It was noted that the Gaskell Hall has been booked for Thursday, 13th March for the Annual Parish Meeting and that the main speaker will be a representative for the National Trust in Silverdale. RESOLVED that the Clerk also invite the AONB to speak and library services and the police to give reports.
10559 The Royal Hotel
RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the owners of the Royal Hotel suggesting that information about their plans for the Royal be displayed in the window of the Royal nearest the newsagents.
10560 Silverdale Hoard
RESOLVED to give a donation of £200 under section 137 towards the conservation of the Silverdale Hoard and to write to the Lancashire County Museum Service pressing for the Hoard to be displayed permanently at Lancaster City Museum.
10561 Bus Service
RESOLVED to:
1. request that the electronic information boards be put back in operation or removed and a paper timetable displayed (it was felt that unused electronic information boards give the impression that the bus service is not in use);
2. request information as to how many use the service.
10562 Speed Limit
Following comments made at the public meeting held in November Members RESOLVED to:
1. ask the police to help educate drivers in the importance of driving within the speed limits;
2. ask Highways to extend the 30mph speed limit e.g. along Redbridge Lane, Bottoms Lane and Gibraltar Lane;
3. ask Highways to simplify the changes from 20 – 30 mph which should also reduce the amount of signage.
10562 Skate Park
RESOLVED to find out the cost of a temporary structure and check on the insurance cover then look at suitable locations for a skate park on a short-term basis.
10563 Commemoration of the Great War
It was noted that events will include: Mr Rod Ireland’s talk on “Silverdale’s War Dead”; Silverdale Players’ performance of “A Garland of Poppies” and a history weekend (to be held during the last weekend in September in the Gaskell Hall).
10564 Standing Orders
RESOLVED to alter standing order 29 to read as follows: “The Council resolved to adopt Lancaster City Council’s model of the Code of Conduct with the exception of Section 2 pertaining to “other interests” at its meeting on 6th August 2012 to meet the requirements of the Localism Act 2011. Persons may not act as elected Members, or co-opted Members, until such time as they have provided a written undertaking that they will observe the Code.”
10565 Finance
(a) It was noted that no money had been received by the Council since the last meeting.
(b) RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
Mr P. Williams (toilet cleaning) £218.00 (899)
Mrs L. D. Challenor (salary and expenses) £1282.70 (900)
Mrs S. Hayward (salary and expenses) £419.48 (901)
Lancaster City Council (AONB clearance at Woodwell and Bankwell) £294.00 (902)
Mr Stefan Laws (parish contractor) £166.25 (903)
Lancaster City Council (planning application for toposcope) £97.50 (904)
(c) RESOLVED to sign the precept request for £18,292 for 2014/15.
10566 Items for Information
1. Members reported that following the Silverdale Hoard there has been an increase in the number of metal detectors in use in the village including on owned land and noted that no one has the right to metal detect without the owner’s permission.
2. The Clerk advised that a resident has written about the lack of Christmas decorations on Emesgate Lane.
3. Councillor Palmer commented that some of the lettering is missing at the War Memorial.
10567 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. Village Christmas decorations. (All)
2. Provision of a plaque for each tree at the War Memorial (representing those who died in the Wars). (All)
10568 Date of the Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 3rd February 2014. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 24th January and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 27th January.
Sue D. Hayward
Deputy Clerk to the Council